the fp is getting-around

Getting Around Slovenia

Air

There are no scheduled domestic flights in Slovenia.

Road

Side of the road

Right

Road Quality

There is a good network of high-quality roads in Slovenia, which are clearly signposted. Many of the motorways have been built since Slovenia joined the EU and are relatively quiet, especially on Sundays when lorries are banned. Radio reports of traffic jams usually only concern the coastal border crossings at weekends in the summer.

Car Hire

There are car hire companies, including many international brands, at Ljubljana airport and in the city, but it's best to reserve a vehicle online before you arrive. Drivers must be at least 21 and have been a licensed driver for at least two years.

Taxi

Taxis are relatively easy to find in the major cities, especially around the train station; in towns, you can usually book them from hotels and restaurants. Taxis are metered.

Bike

Slovenia takes cycling seriously with its own star system to identify accommodation geared towards pedal pushers. Hotels, hostels and guesthouses in the scheme have their own bikes or can point you towards a rental shop. Tourist information centres (TICs) can also help with bike hire and route maps. There are marked routes all over the country. You can also explore Ljubljana with the capital’s automated bike sharing system known as BicikeLj (en.bicikelj.si).

Coach

Efficient coach services operate in the cities, major towns and tourist spots, and from Ljubljana airport to the city centre or Lake Bled. Otherwise, it is usually quicker and easier to go by car or rail. For bus information contact Avtobusna Postaja (tel: 1991, in Slovenia only or +386 1234 4600; www.ap-ljubljana.si).

Regulations

Seat belts are compulsory (including in the back, if provided). Dimmed headlights must always be turned on while driving (even during the day). Vignettes (road tax stickers available from petrol stations) are required in order to use the motorways and express roads in Slovenia.

There are hefty on-the-spot fines if drivers are caught without a vignette, speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol (over 0.05%) or using a handheld mobile phone. Drivers should have a reflective jacket, a warning triangle and a first-aid kit in their cars.

Breakdown services

Documentation

Full national driving licences with a photograph are accepted. Non-EU visitors can buy an International Green Card at the border. International car insurance is mandatory.

Urban travel

It’s easy, safe and probably more interesting to get around Slovenia’s towns and cities by foot, although the buses are quicker and reliable. They are run by Avtobusna Postaja (AP) (tel: 1991, in Slovenia only or +386 1234 4600;; www.ap-ljubljana.si).

Ljubljana city buses are operated by the Ljubljanski Potniški Promet (LPP) (tel: 080 1888, in Slovenia only or +386 1582 2460; www.lpp.si).

There are no underground trains or trams in Slovenian towns and cities.

Rail

Train travel is generally inexpensive and slow. It is run by Slovenske Železnice (tel: +386 1291 3332; www.slo-zeleznice.si).

Rail Passes

InterRail One-Country Pass: Offers travel for three, four, six or eight days in one month within Slovenia. Travel is not allowed in the passenger's country of residence. Travellers under 26 years receive a reduction. Children under 12 travel free when accompanied by an adult using an Adult Pass. Supplements are required for some high-speed services, seat reservations and couchettes. Available from Interrail (www.interrail.eu).

Eurail Slovenia Pass: Offers travel for three, four, five or eight days in one month within Slovenia. Adult passes are valid for first-class travel, while youth passes (under 26) are valid for second-class travel. Children under 12 are free when accompanied by an adult using an Adult Pass. The passes cannot be sold to EU citizens or residents. Available to non-EU nationals from Eurail (www.eurail.com).

About The World Travel Guide

The World Travel Guide (WTG) is the flagship digital consumer brand within the Columbus Travel Media portfolio. A comprehensive guide to the world’s best travel destinations, its print heritage stretches back 30 years, with the online portal reaching its 15-year anniversary in 2014. Available in English, German, French and Spanish versions, the WTG provides detailed and accurate travel content designed to inspire global travellers. It covers all aspects, from cities to airports, cruise ports to ski and beach resorts, attractions to events, and it also includes weekly travel news, features and quizzes. Updated every day by a dedicated global editorial team, the portal logs 1 million+ unique users monthly.